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04-22-2014, 03:05 PM | #1 |
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Valve Cover Gasket and Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leaks - How important?
Just got an annual oil service done at the local bmw indy shop. They told me they see a leak by the valve cover gasket and the oil filter housing. I have noticed an increase in what looked like oil around the engine bay accumulating. Not a lot, and I haven't seen any on the floor of the garage.
How serious of a fix is this? Should I get on this right away or do I have some time? I was quoted $1100 to replace both gaskets. $600 for the valve gasket and $500 for the oil housing gasket. Thanks for the help. |
04-22-2014, 03:23 PM | #2 |
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The gaskets themselves should cost somewhere around 50-100 bucks a piece and this was something I did myself after hearing a price of about half that from local shops. This was on a Z3 (non-M). These gaskets aren't hard to change and I'd suggest doing it yourself as there's probably a guide on here somewhere and if not there's definitely one on youtube.
To answer your question though, yes that seems a bit high. Seriousness of repair, I'd say it shouldn't be disregarded or forgotten about but you wont hurt anything driving on it so long as your oil levels remain at a decent level. If you start running low on oil you're going to have some pretty serious issues, other than that you should be fine. |
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04-22-2014, 03:31 PM | #3 |
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I just called another indy shop and was quoted $420 on the valve gasket, so much more "palatable." I'm not sure how comfortable I am doing this one myself. I also don't think I have the proper tools. I'll probably try to clean up the engine bay a bit and keep an eye on it for a while longer.
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04-22-2014, 03:35 PM | #4 |
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You may want to give this guy a try since you're in OC (presumably OC, CA) => http://www.mobilemechanic-oc.com/
He quoted me less than $200 for the valve gasket on my X5, gasket included. But I went different route since I wanted to have my VANOS rebuilt as well. |
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04-22-2014, 06:17 PM | #6 |
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I put a stainless steel c clamp (approx 4") snugged lightly against the filter cap o ring. It solved the oil leak from a "bulging" o ring. Despite proper torquing etc the damn o ring would eventually bulge and I'd get a leak. This little cure cost me $2.50 ... Peace of mind and a clean engine... That is priceless.
As for the valve cover gasket... Get it replaced. Nobody enjoys the smell of burning oil... It ruins the experience driving the Z.....
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04-22-2014, 08:01 PM | #7 |
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Sorry, I don't know of anyone who had used him. I was going to be a guinea pig and tried his services, but found someone else who helped me worked on my Vanos seals as well since I had the valve cover opened....so it didn't work out with him.
Have you also tried getting quotes from Coast Motor Werk and Bullet Performance? These two places may be a bit more costly, but still cheaper than dealers. |
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04-23-2014, 01:59 AM | #8 | |
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04-23-2014, 09:27 AM | #9 |
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Wow..."Coast" has gotten very expensive...almost dealer level prices!
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04-23-2014, 10:20 AM | #10 |
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Garage List E86 Z4 M [10.00]
F15 X5 xDrive35i [9.17] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.53] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [8.93] |
I created this thread a while back, you might find it useful.
I did the OFHS same time as my water pump & T-stat knowing the coolant would have to e be flushed. Depending on the year of your N52, you may not actually be at risk of the valve cover gasket http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831184 |
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04-23-2014, 11:40 AM | #11 | |
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04-23-2014, 12:14 PM | #12 |
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Those prices are absurd. The valve cover gasket especially, I could do that in less than 2 hours no sweat, probably less than 1 hour. The gasket itself is $50.
Send a PM to Kiev, the SoCal valve adjustment guy. That gasket gets replaced when doing a valve adjustment, he probably has them in stock. I bet he'll do that gasket for you for $200 or less. |
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04-23-2014, 12:21 PM | #13 |
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Garage List E86 Z4 M [10.00]
F15 X5 xDrive35i [9.17] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.53] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [8.93] |
Enter last 7 of VIN into realoem.com, this will tell you production date as well as look up which gaskets you received.
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04-23-2014, 03:10 PM | #14 | |
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04-23-2014, 10:01 PM | #15 |
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Understood, but presumably the valve cover comes off more of less the same way, thus Kiev should be able to help him out.
If for some reason the N52 uses a completely different valve cover design, then please disregard. |
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04-25-2014, 08:50 AM | #16 |
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I had a leak on the 04 and the cause.
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04-25-2014, 05:55 PM | #18 |
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SoCal Z Enthusiast contact me to get on the list. Events for like minded people and when you talk about your Z, we will know what you are saying. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ZSCCACalifornia/
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04-25-2014, 07:32 PM | #19 |
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I have a pretty decent leak on the valve cover gasket, which was recently replaced like 15k miles ago. My indy quoted me like $200ish to replace but they gave a me a discount since the part should still be under warranty.
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